Vizcaya Ventian Barge – en plein air watercolor landscape painting

Miami, FL

From the steps of Vizcaya Mansion’s East veranda, which provides an expansive view of Miami’s Biscayne Bay, this Venetian-styled private cove sheltered a concrete barge, recalling Greek or Roman trireme sailing ships. The painting was interrupted three times by seasonal showers, which left their splattered imprint on the sky washes. During a hot, sunny clearing to complete the work, the high contrast profile of the shaded barge and the colorful piers were a juxtaposition of horizontal and vertical shapes – all accented by the dappling reflective water. John Singer Sargent did watercolors of this estate and a portrait of its owner, James Deering; such a remarkable connection through time heightened my plein-air painting experience.